Need a New Car? Nope, Just a New Engine!

Engine Repower is a new service that gives car owners the option of replacing their old, worn out engine with a rebuilt engine of the same vintage instead of simply buying a new car or repairing specific problems. When a first saw this page, I was very interested, as I am a proponent of keeping your car as long as possible to reduce wasteful manufacturing processes, even in the face of promises of lower emissions made by newer cars.

Here’s what Engine Repower has to say about their service:

Technology and auto manufacturing have advanced dramatically in the past two decades. Cars and trucks last longer. Paint is better. Bodies are more corrosion resistant. Interior materials are more durable, and even suspension and other components last longer. So when an engine “dies,” it does not have to be the end of your vehicle. When a car or truck suffers major engine damage, the first response and reaction of many consumers is to buy a new or used vehicle. Sometimes disposing of your current vehicle might make sense, but often it’s simply not necessary.

Obviously, being an advertisement, they are very high on themselves, but they do make some good points. When cars die, it seems it is most often due to accidents or blown engines. Very rarely do cars rust so badly or generally devolve to a point of undrivability before the engine begins to have trouble. Also, one of the biggest issues with emissions from old vehicles is that those vehicles have fallen out of spec and are no longer getting the best fuel economy or releasing the least emissions.

The Engine Repowering Council seems to focus on domestic vehicles, but using their find-a-shop feature, it’s likely that you can find someone to rebuild an engine of almost any make. These engines almost always come with warranties and, in my opinion (as someone who has worked at a shop in the past), will be rebuilt as carefully as anything else coming from that shop. So, if you’re considering this, pick a shop you know and trust, and that offers a good warranty.

While the service is certainly not ideal (you can’t just put a newer, cleaner engine in an old car), the ability to put life and reliability back into an old car is about as close as you can get to recycling and reusing in the automotive world.

About the Author

Benjamin Jones Benjamin Jones is a student of Dartmouth College and co-founder of EcoModder.com and writer at CollegeVegan.com. He is double majoring in Japanese and Linguistics, and is most interested in Sociolinguistics and Anthropology in Japan.

I suppose I don’t need to worry about my 120K transmission being replaced, or electrical, or the AC that blows hot, I just need a new engine. I can feel better about the environment as I’m broken down along the side of the road.

Me

I suppose I don’t need to worry about my 120K transmission being replaced, or electrical, or the AC that blows hot, I just need a new engine. I can feel better about the environment as I’m broken down along the side of the road.

Niels

The idea seems fine at first, but older cars are often missing vital safty equipment such as airbags, ABS and ESP. If we all followed their example, faltalities as a result of accidents would be going up instead of down. No matter how green I am, i tend to put human life before oil consumption..

Just my humble opinion

Niels

The idea seems fine at first, but older cars are often missing vital safty equipment such as airbags, ABS and ESP. If we all followed their example, faltalities as a result of accidents would be going up instead of down. No matter how green I am, i tend to put human life before oil consumption..

Just my humble opinion

Ben

If you know your car and how to drive, ABS and ESP (ESC?) aren’t as necessary. Even on ice or other slick conditions, if you know how to control the throttle and breaks and drive at a safe speed then there’s really no need for them. On the other hand, I’ve never driven without ABS, so I don’t know exactly how difficult that is. Better air bags are always welcome, of course.

“No matter how green I am, I tend to put human life before oil consumption”, but in this case, they go hand-in-hand, no? We’re talking about reusing a whole car and rebuilding an engine, which may have worse fuel economy than a new engine, as apposed to getting a new or recent model used car. The benefits are that you know what parts on your car have been recently replaced and that it could last as long as a new car, not lower oil consumption or better emissions.

I’ve been working in a parts store with an in-house machine shop for about three years. We’ve been rebuilding engines for about 35 years at this location, and show no signs of slowing down. Most repair facilities with a technician worth his tools will be able to install a remanufactured/new engine in any car for a relatively low price, but from my experience, it’s NOT the engines that put the nail in the coffin. For me it was a transmission, the entire suspension, deteriorating interiors, and all of the little things, like a $500 fuel pump, $150 injectors (of which there were six), and an aging electrical system that ended my late model van’s life.

Ask any mechanic, and they’ll tell you that the hardest system in the modern car to work on, now-a-days, is the electronic system. With every car being controlled by computers and monitored by highly specialized sensors, it becomes harder and harder every day for your average mechanic to diagnose the most common automotive symptoms. That’s why I’ve stopped giving advice. I don’t want to be held liable for someone replacing a $500 part that doesn’t fix their issue.

This might seem tangential, but I am just trying to show that replacing a motor in a car doesn’t garantee that an equally expensive, equally detrimental issue might arise.

I’ve been working in a parts store with an in-house machine shop for about three years. We’ve been rebuilding engines for about 35 years at this location, and show no signs of slowing down. Most repair facilities with a technician worth his tools will be able to install a remanufactured/new engine in any car for a relatively low price, but from my experience, it’s NOT the engines that put the nail in the coffin. For me it was a transmission, the entire suspension, deteriorating interiors, and all of the little things, like a $500 fuel pump, $150 injectors (of which there were six), and an aging electrical system that ended my late model van’s life.

Ask any mechanic, and they’ll tell you that the hardest system in the modern car to work on, now-a-days, is the electronic system. With every car being controlled by computers and monitored by highly specialized sensors, it becomes harder and harder every day for your average mechanic to diagnose the most common automotive symptoms. That’s why I’ve stopped giving advice. I don’t want to be held liable for someone replacing a $500 part that doesn’t fix their issue.

This might seem tangential, but I am just trying to show that replacing a motor in a car doesn’t garantee that an equally expensive, equally detrimental issue might arise.

Excellent idea! I Have done this and got another 100,000 miles or more out of a cheap used auto. Sure beats the cost of new. I support the idea great stuff Thanks!

Dr. Spock

Well thats what I did. Put a 2004 engine with 3k miles on it into a 1996 car that was fine minus the blown engine. Same size 4.6L so even though the years were pretty far apart, it went right in. Put a new/rebuilt trans in and your set!

Dr. Spock

Well thats what I did. Put a 2004 engine with 3k miles on it into a 1996 car that was fine minus the blown engine. Same size 4.6L so even though the years were pretty far apart, it went right in. Put a new/rebuilt trans in and your set!

Mark

Check this out. It would be cool to swap out for one of these MYT engines.

this is great! absolutely wonderful news. im tired of passing the local scrapyard- (on a tram) and seeing worthwhile cars being crushed. trouble is its not new news. what about the gold seal/silver seal programmes that ran in the uk putting reconditioned engines in leyland/bmc cars way back when?(70’s?)

harry

this is great! absolutely wonderful news. im tired of passing the local scrapyard- (on a tram) and seeing worthwhile cars being crushed. trouble is its not new news. what about the gold seal/silver seal programmes that ran in the uk putting reconditioned engines in leyland/bmc cars way back when?(70’s?)

alvin

problem with this idea is that investing too much money in a older car is risky business. If a few months later you are in a car wreck that totals your car,the insurance company will not give you the value you just invested in it… they will equate your valued to standard market value usually without consideration of the new motor. So going green may be noble but not exactly financially wise.

alvin

problem with this idea is that investing too much money in a older car is risky business. If a few months later you are in a car wreck that totals your car,the insurance company will not give you the value you just invested in it… they will equate your valued to standard market value usually without consideration of the new motor. So going green may be noble but not exactly financially wise.

Pat

Engine rebuilders have been around forever, they typically advertise in the little weekly papers.

I don’t understand what this is beyond an ad for this company. Oh, and you can put a newer engine into an old car. It may take some modifications, but that’s nothing new either. A 305 with cats in a 1962 Buick is certainly more green than the original.

Do you really think those cars that claim over a million miles haven’t either had their engines swapped or rebuilt?

Pat

Engine rebuilders have been around forever, they typically advertise in the little weekly papers.

I don’t understand what this is beyond an ad for this company. Oh, and you can put a newer engine into an old car. It may take some modifications, but that’s nothing new either. A 305 with cats in a 1962 Buick is certainly more green than the original.

Do you really think those cars that claim over a million miles haven’t either had their engines swapped or rebuilt?

j

Ummm… not such a new idea here…

I’ve owned the same car for 18 years and have installed new motors over the years.

I also have a 78 chevy pickup with 360K on the original motor.

its called maintenance people…

and no the new motors are no “greener” then the one’s they replace, hippy.

j

Ummm… not such a new idea here…

I’ve owned the same car for 18 years and have installed new motors over the years.

I also have a 78 chevy pickup with 360K on the original motor.

its called maintenance people…

and no the new motors are no “greener” then the one’s they replace, hippy.

Rachel Starr

Nice idea.

This would be great especially for all those great old cars that are just not produced.

Personally my favorites like the 1991 Mercedes SEC 560.

Its a great car, very safe, but to buy a new car with its size you are looking at $65,000 minimum.

But with this new engine idea, just buy a old one in good condition for $5,000 and get a new engine and youll save at least $50,000.

Makes sense…but its horrible news for car companies (oh well they been screwing us forever…about time we get back at them)

Rachel Starr

Nice idea.

This would be great especially for all those great old cars that are just not produced.

Personally my favorites like the 1991 Mercedes SEC 560.

Its a great car, very safe, but to buy a new car with its size you are looking at $65,000 minimum.

But with this new engine idea, just buy a old one in good condition for $5,000 and get a new engine and youll save at least $50,000.

Makes sense…but its horrible news for car companies (oh well they been screwing us forever…about time we get back at them)

Actually, this is something that I’ve considered for my ’94 car. I was informed however, by several garages, that since the electrical system and computer on the car were so difficult to work with, it would be about $5K just to replace the engine.

Also, replacing the engine is just means replacing the ENGINE BLOCK. They would put back the same old water pump, alternator, AC compressor, and such. Unfortunately “replacing the engine” sounds nice, but it’s only the one big piece.

Finally, being an old car, I also have breaks that need replacing, old tires, an old suspension system, original muffler system, original transmission, breaking down interior, and 170K+ miles on the chassis in general. Kind of hard to justify a new anything on it considering that it’s probably worth $1000 in good shape on Kelly Blue Book.

Actually, this is something that I’ve considered for my ’94 car. I was informed however, by several garages, that since the electrical system and computer on the car were so difficult to work with, it would be about $5K just to replace the engine.

Also, replacing the engine is just means replacing the ENGINE BLOCK. They would put back the same old water pump, alternator, AC compressor, and such. Unfortunately “replacing the engine” sounds nice, but it’s only the one big piece.

Finally, being an old car, I also have breaks that need replacing, old tires, an old suspension system, original muffler system, original transmission, breaking down interior, and 170K+ miles on the chassis in general. Kind of hard to justify a new anything on it considering that it’s probably worth $1000 in good shape on Kelly Blue Book.

acitydweller

i have an obvious question though, why refurbish an old car that is less fuel efficient and creates a larger carbon footprint than a current model car that is? It may prove cheaper than buying a new car but how does this serve the environment?

acitydweller

i have an obvious question though, why refurbish an old car that is less fuel efficient and creates a larger carbon footprint than a current model car that is? It may prove cheaper than buying a new car but how does this serve the environment?

This really doesn’t apply to diesel vehicles as their engines are overengineered to deal with high compression used in its combustion process. The engine on my TDI passat will be the LAST thing that fails (after all the future electrical problems).

This really doesn’t apply to diesel vehicles as their engines are overengineered to deal with high compression used in its combustion process. The engine on my TDI passat will be the LAST thing that fails (after all the future electrical problems).

this all goes back to King Gillette (inventor of his namesake disposable razors).

marketers have us believing that even cars are now disposable objects – i like the logic behind your post…we should stop viewing cars as disposable.

advertising is making us waste so many resources.

i’m going to promote the heck out of this article on SU, my circle of friends, anywhere. I love this ideas.

josh

not true, my parents got rear ended and the other insurance company tried to say it was totaled. Once they were shown that it was a new rebuilt engine, we got the full amount. I definitely remember because it was my beater when I turned 16.

josh

not true, my parents got rear ended and the other insurance company tried to say it was totaled. Once they were shown that it was a new rebuilt engine, we got the full amount. I definitely remember because it was my beater when I turned 16.

This kind of service existed a long time before it was very expensive to buy a used car.

I mean this service is just a simple repair of your existing car.

John Keels

Interesting story. I believe this is probably not a brand new idea. For instance, used engines come into the US from Japan all the time particularly for Japanese models.

When we have electric cars that have practical range then some of this will be reduced because an electric car will be less expensive and easier to maintain in the long run. Also, there are fewer moving parts and an electric motor is far simpler than in internal combustion engine.

Better battery power and capacity is coming. I read an article that mentioned that nanotubes used in Li-On batteries increase charge capacity by 10X which is incredible. Now we will see how long it is before that technology is affordable. Also, we will see how long the oil companies can keep pressuring congress and the government to avoid alternative energy and keep us all hooked on good old nasty but high power content petroleum.

John Keels

Interesting story. I believe this is probably not a brand new idea. For instance, used engines come into the US from Japan all the time particularly for Japanese models.

When we have electric cars that have practical range then some of this will be reduced because an electric car will be less expensive and easier to maintain in the long run. Also, there are fewer moving parts and an electric motor is far simpler than in internal combustion engine.

Better battery power and capacity is coming. I read an article that mentioned that nanotubes used in Li-On batteries increase charge capacity by 10X which is incredible. Now we will see how long it is before that technology is affordable. Also, we will see how long the oil companies can keep pressuring congress and the government to avoid alternative energy and keep us all hooked on good old nasty but high power content petroleum.

the new engine needs to have fuel, electric, and mechanical linkages. The actual operation of the engine is controlled by the computer and sensor suite on the engine. There is no requirement to interface with the organic electrics of the chassis past this point. I’m putting a new engine in my ’88 Bronco II that was never put in that vehicle. It hit 250,000 and blew a head gasket.

2. With regard to claims of th economics of swapping engines versus swapping cars. There was a study done about a year go (which I apologize but was unable to find in google handily) that demonstrates that you can save over $40k by keeping a vehicle and doing the maintenance on it through its normal 20 year life (and they’ll actually go much farther than that). With that sort of savings, which means you’re not paying somebodies Porsche payment, you can buy your own Porsche 🙂

the new engine needs to have fuel, electric, and mechanical linkages. The actual operation of the engine is controlled by the computer and sensor suite on the engine. There is no requirement to interface with the organic electrics of the chassis past this point. I’m putting a new engine in my ’88 Bronco II that was never put in that vehicle. It hit 250,000 and blew a head gasket.

2. With regard to claims of th economics of swapping engines versus swapping cars. There was a study done about a year go (which I apologize but was unable to find in google handily) that demonstrates that you can save over $40k by keeping a vehicle and doing the maintenance on it through its normal 20 year life (and they’ll actually go much farther than that). With that sort of savings, which means you’re not paying somebodies Porsche payment, you can buy your own Porsche 🙂

People need to change thier cars not only due to the engine.. but also due to the other parts such as the transmission, driveshafts, wheel bearings, suspension, rear diferential…

Engine is easy to rebuild.. and this service has been going on since the early 1900’s.. its called an engine overhual 🙂

alex

swap an ls1 into it

alex

swap an ls1 into it

Andrew

You guys spend too much time inside, on the internet, if this is a new & good idea to you.

Engine re-building has been around as long as engine building, itself.

Andrew

You guys spend too much time inside, on the internet, if this is a new & good idea to you.

Engine re-building has been around as long as engine building, itself.

bgarrett

This article is unbelieveable.

Are you about 7 years old?

rRepowering cars has been going on since the first automobile was designed more than 100 years ago.

I have been driving my 1939 Ford pickup for 16 years and am on my 3rd engine.

eee the jalopy journal and the H.A.M.B.

bgarrett

This article is unbelieveable.

Are you about 7 years old?

rRepowering cars has been going on since the first automobile was designed more than 100 years ago.

I have been driving my 1939 Ford pickup for 16 years and am on my 3rd engine.

eee the jalopy journal and the H.A.M.B.

Jess

I’m a bit confused. What’s new about this? I’ve replaced dead engines before in my cars instead of just buying new cars.

Jess

I’m a bit confused. What’s new about this? I’ve replaced dead engines before in my cars instead of just buying new cars.

Me

Uninformed public = great entertainment. Thanks for the laugh!

Me

Uninformed public = great entertainment. Thanks for the laugh!

Lummox

Um, you can install a newer engine in an old car. I used to do it regularly. I usually suggest taking everything. Engine, transmission, A/C pump, computer, harness, even the radiator and A/C condenser if it fits. If not, the old ones can be reused or custom ones made.

One of my favorites was stuffing a ’89 chev tuned port injection V8 into a ’85 shaguar XJ6. Better economy, emissions and power! What a great swap.

Now, you’ll have to find a genius shop that knows how to swap over a computer, and expect to pay a grand to someone to rewire the thing…Probably another grand to make mounts, weld up a new driveshaft, etc. But if you love your old car, it’s soooo worth it, especially if you have something really old and not original.

It’s not just about having wheels, it’s about driving something different. And it is greener to recycle an old car then buy a new one. Any idea how much carbon it takes to make a car?

Lummox

Um, you can install a newer engine in an old car. I used to do it regularly. I usually suggest taking everything. Engine, transmission, A/C pump, computer, harness, even the radiator and A/C condenser if it fits. If not, the old ones can be reused or custom ones made.

One of my favorites was stuffing a ’89 chev tuned port injection V8 into a ’85 shaguar XJ6. Better economy, emissions and power! What a great swap.

Now, you’ll have to find a genius shop that knows how to swap over a computer, and expect to pay a grand to someone to rewire the thing…Probably another grand to make mounts, weld up a new driveshaft, etc. But if you love your old car, it’s soooo worth it, especially if you have something really old and not original.

It’s not just about having wheels, it’s about driving something different. And it is greener to recycle an old car then buy a new one. Any idea how much carbon it takes to make a car?

lummox

Now, where do you get a new engine/transmission?

The junk yard. You wouldn’t believe how many people wrap their new car around a pole. Most new cars are written off if they deploy the airbags. Find something with under 30K and you are laughing.

lummox

Now, where do you get a new engine/transmission?

The junk yard. You wouldn’t believe how many people wrap their new car around a pole. Most new cars are written off if they deploy the airbags. Find something with under 30K and you are laughing.

mr. no

Obviously hasn’t driven a Toyota. My Celica has 300 thousand clicks, the rust is so bad the seats almost drag on the highway, but I have yet to have any engine or mechanical trouble in the slightest and has only required regular oil changes – ever(I have put on 100 thousand since purchasing it). It runs better than certain brand new Ford models. I would buy a replacement body for the engine if I could that sucker is so reliable. The body is too bad to continue driving it, but I didn’t want such a great engine/tranny going to waste, so I plan on building a go-cart with it this summer. I already got my next Celica to replace it.

mr. no

Obviously hasn’t driven a Toyota. My Celica has 300 thousand clicks, the rust is so bad the seats almost drag on the highway, but I have yet to have any engine or mechanical trouble in the slightest and has only required regular oil changes – ever(I have put on 100 thousand since purchasing it). It runs better than certain brand new Ford models. I would buy a replacement body for the engine if I could that sucker is so reliable. The body is too bad to continue driving it, but I didn’t want such a great engine/tranny going to waste, so I plan on building a go-cart with it this summer. I already got my next Celica to replace it.

Ben, you’re an idiot. This is not new technology and from reading your other posts there might be a chance that you could be declared legally retarded.

Adam

So lets get this straight…

Engine “repowering” is new as far as you can tell…

and

you worked at a shop before…

So, this “shop you worked at has never installed a rebuilt engine? Ever?

Auto shops have been installing new, used and rebuilt engines since cars were invented n00b.

Are you going to report on these new fangled “internal combustion engines” next?

Adam

So lets get this straight…

Engine “repowering” is new as far as you can tell…

and

you worked at a shop before…

So, this “shop you worked at has never installed a rebuilt engine? Ever?

Auto shops have been installing new, used and rebuilt engines since cars were invented n00b.

Are you going to report on these new fangled “internal combustion engines” next?

Uncle B

Go electric,Tesla’s motor’s only moving part is a solid rotor! One piece carbon fiber glass fiber and resin bodies are possible and repairable to a certain extent. Battery packs are a bitch though – here’s hoping they get better!

Uncle B

Go electric,Tesla’s motor’s only moving part is a solid rotor! One piece carbon fiber glass fiber and resin bodies are possible and repairable to a certain extent. Battery packs are a bitch though – here’s hoping they get better!

garrick

wow……..you’re serious aren’t you. ben, people have been doing this since the dawn of the automobile. this is a sarcastic article right?? you really didn’t know?? have you ever read an automobile magazine? have you ever seen a restored vehicle? did you think that 65 mustang your professor drives is a “new” car??

garrick

wow……..you’re serious aren’t you. ben, people have been doing this since the dawn of the automobile. this is a sarcastic article right?? you really didn’t know?? have you ever read an automobile magazine? have you ever seen a restored vehicle? did you think that 65 mustang your professor drives is a “new” car??

“Engine Repower is a new (as far as I can tell) service that gives car owners the option of replacing their old, worn out engine with a rebuilt engine of the same vintage instead of simply buying a new car or repairing specific problems.”

They may be a ‘new company’ but the service is FAR from ‘NEW’. It used to be VERY common when the lifetime of a car was about 150,000 at the most {now easily 250,00} and engines wore out at 100,000

And in fact, you CAN put a ‘new tech’ engine in an ‘old tech’ car.

It takes more skill and knowhow than the average ‘shop tech’ has but is well known and commonly done by backyard mechanics’ who really know their cars and how they work. … you know the guys who have to write their OWN manuals.

pettyfog

Dear Mr Jones.

“Engine Repower is a new (as far as I can tell) service that gives car owners the option of replacing their old, worn out engine with a rebuilt engine of the same vintage instead of simply buying a new car or repairing specific problems.”

They may be a ‘new company’ but the service is FAR from ‘NEW’. It used to be VERY common when the lifetime of a car was about 150,000 at the most {now easily 250,00} and engines wore out at 100,000

And in fact, you CAN put a ‘new tech’ engine in an ‘old tech’ car.

It takes more skill and knowhow than the average ‘shop tech’ has but is well known and commonly done by backyard mechanics’ who really know their cars and how they work. … you know the guys who have to write their OWN manuals.

I just don’t know why ford or gm don’t come out or honda or even toyota with a 2 cylinder gas engine that would power a hybrid car, a hybrid can produce about 200 to 230 horse power this way.miles mer galon would be about 120 to 140 i know this would be the end of this gasoline problem because sports cars would be even better because of prize and weight.

sweet. thy can make any engine for any car? even the old ones? where is this company? can order it?
coz i live in saudia arabia..andi hope that thos engings r not too expensive!

its realy cool

GilYap

My NIssan Cefiro’s engine got blown off recently and i’m going to replace by an used secondhand engine. I do hope i’m making the right decision suggested by Mechanic. Any comments from anyone would be appreciated. Thank You.

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